Creative Parenting – Kathryn Dolby
Using a blend of abstract and landscape painting, Kathryn Dolby captures the world around her – from the subtropical environment she lives within to the daily aspects of motherhood.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson I Photography: Lisa Sorgini & Mia Forrest
‘I definitely draw from personal experiences. I think it's when the work is the most authentic and in turn relatable. Ultimately, I’m always guided by and searching for a certain sensation,’ says Kathryn Dolby. Photo: Mia Forrest
Studio details. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘I generally refer to my work as moody, abstract landscapes that look to find poetry in everyday experiences.’ Photo: Mia Forrest
Abstract artist Kathryn Dolby crafts colourful scenes inspired by nature, the beautiful landscape of the Northern Rivers, NSW on Bundjalung Country feeding into her practice, where she lives with her partner Steve, and daughters Freda, five, and Leni-Jean, one.
Moving out to the country allowed for a studio next to her home, surrounded by nature in a small, open plan cottage style home that has a huge deck in amongst the trees. ‘It’s a great area for the kids to play, and we sometimes paint out there too,’ says the artist.
As a child, Kathryn slowly turned the whole house into her art studio. Art was something she just did, rather than plan for. But in high school, she realised how important it was as a way of surviving and making sense of a confusing time. ‘The context has changed but painting still provides that place for me to unravel thoughts and questions as an adult.’
Today, Kathryn is inspired by her surroundings in the lush Northern Rivers; her artworks feature moody, abstract landscapes, the artist describes that she looks for poetry in everyday experiences. ‘I draw from nature, motherhood, the weather, and relationships to ask questions and make sense of things,’ says Kathryn. ‘Basically, it’s a way of processing being alive! And in a meditative way, it helps me to find calm and quiet in a complex and noisy world.’
Drawing on multiple art movements – ‘the quiet vibration of Morandi or Agnus Martin, with the emotional power of Arthur Boyd and the playfulness of Milton Avery’ – Kathryn finds the excitement of being a contemporary artist with the exploration and navigation of self and discovery. ‘I love the challenge of finding the sweet tension between abstract expression and minimalism, impressionism with realism.’
The beautiful landscape of the Northern Rivers, NSW on Bundjalung Country feeds into Kathryn Dolby’s practice. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘There's a lot of pressure to keep the wheel rolling but I think there can be a lot of benefit to down time as well, to recalibrate and reflect. Journal ideas when you can, even if it’s on an envelope on the kitchen table!’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘I’ll encourage my kids to do whatever it is they’re passionate about, but they both definitely love being in the studio.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘I'm always on the prowl to find where contradictory states can meet and sing together in a painting. Life is an exquisite, sometimes painful, and mysterious combination of states.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘I can't spend as long building up the layers and so the work needs to be resolved quite quickly and more methodically. The work changes to reflect what's going on in your life, which at first, I struggled with, but I fully embrace it now.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
‘I usually set up an easel for Freda and a little table at her height and she churns these beautiful abstract paintings out with such confidence. I love how kids have that freedom to just let go and not overthink things.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
“I think painting is a place I find refuge. It’s where all of our experiences can circulate, like a big hearty pot of stew. Picasso once said, ‘painting is just another way of keeping a diary’.”
‘Before this week I've been painting while the baby sleeps and when my darling mum can visit for babysitting duties! I keep asking her to move in…’ Photo: Mia Forrest
Studio details. Photo: Mia Forrest
‘My sister Jess, who is 9 years older than me, was incredibly creative as a teenager. I have vivid memories of attending her drama and dance performances at the high school when I was in primary school, and also finding a huge folder of her charcoal life drawings. Looking at the drawings gave me this feeling of blood racing throughout my body that I had never experienced from anything else before.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Kathryn uses thinned down acrylic paint on birch board, in a similar process to watercolours, before building up expressive, fluid, and gentle layers. ‘I've dabbled with film, drawing, photography, and printmaking but I'm always pulled back to the immediacy and fluidity of paint. It excites and challenges me,’ she adds.
Though, after having her first child, Kathryn discovered her work becoming faster and more expressive. Spending less time on layers to resolve the works quicker. ‘Out of necessity, I had to move quickly, which I think breathed new life into the work. After the birth of my second, there has been another shift because of the increase in time constraints,’ she reflects.
With her galleries’ encouragement and support to keep painting – and a break from exhibiting after the birth of Leni-Jean – Kathryn is finding her juggle of art making and parenting. The break meant she was able to return feeling vital and healthy, buzzing with creative energy and clear expectations of what is achievable. ‘You definitely have to become far more efficient with your time and what you can juggle,’ she adds.
And her advice is quite simple: ‘Take your time and know your boundaries. Also be gentle with yourself and chip away at projects when you can… Keep your mind active. Then return with full force.’
This passion for her art is revealed through a show at Michael Reid, Berlin, exhibiting at Spring1883 Art Fair with Otomys in 2022, and a recent show in their Melbourne gallery with Ely Smithwick. Kathryn has a solo exhibition at the Michael Reid Southern Highlands gallery this May featuring some small contributions from Kathryn’s daughter, Freda – bringing life into art and art into life.